Choosing the right hail netting is a balance between protection physics (stopping the ice) and plant physiology (ensuring enough light and airflow for fruit quality).
This guide breaks down the decision process into five technical steps to help you select the optimal specification for your orchard.
Step 1: Choose the Right Weave (Structure)
The construction of the net determines its strength, lifespan, and how it handles the weight of hail.
| Feature | Leno Weave (Woven) | Raschel Weave (Knitted) |
| Structure | Locked knot; rigid and low-stretch. | Looped knot; flexible and elastic. |
| Strength | High. best for heavy hail loads and permanent structures. | Medium. Good for lighter hail or drape systems. |
| Lifespan | 8–12+ years. | 5–8 years. |
| Price | Higher (~20% more expensive). | Lower (Cost-effective). |
| Best For | Permanent Overhead Canopies. Ideal for high-value crops (apples, cherries) in high-hail zones. | Drape Systems / Temporary. Good for seasonal use where nets are removed or for lower-budget projects. |
Pro Tip: If you are in a region with heavy snow loads, Leno is safer because it is less likely to sag dangerously under the weight.
Step 2: Select the Mesh Size
Mesh size is a trade-off: smaller holes offer more protection but reduce light and airflow.
- Small Mesh (2mm – 6mm):
- Best for: Very heavy hail regions or crops sensitive to micro-damage (e.g., berries).
- Pros: Stops even “rice hail”; excludes insects (wasps, stink bugs).
- Cons: Reduces light by 15-20%; can increase humidity (risk of fungal disease).
- Standard Mesh (7mm – 10mm):
- Best for: Most Orchards (Apples, Pears, Stone Fruit).
- Pros: Stops 95% of damaging hail; minimal impact on light (<10% shading).
- Cons: Rice hail (tiny ice pellets) may pass through but rarely causes economic damage to hard fruit.
- Large Mesh (12mm+):
- Best for: Large canopy trees or regions with only occasional, large-stone hail events.
Step 3: Determine Color & Photoselectivity
Modern nets do more than block ice; they manipulate light to improve fruit quality (“photoselective netting”).
| Net Color | Light Effect | Best Application |
| Crystal / Transparent | Maximum light transmission (90%+). | Standard choice. Best for varieties requiring high color (e.g., Red Delicious, bi-color apples) in low-light regions. |
| White | Diffuses light; lowers temperature. | High-heat regions. Prevents sunburn on apples/pears while maintaining good light levels. |
| Black | High shading; maximum UV life. | Nursery stock or shade-loving crops. Generally not recommended for fruit bearing unless sunburn is a massive issue (delays harvest). |
| Grey / Pearl | Moderate diffusion; IR blocking. | Microclimate control. Good for reducing heat stress without sacrificing too much PAR (photosynthetically active radiation). |
| Blue | Modifies light spectrum. | Specific growth promotion. Shown to increase vigor and sometimes fruit size in cherries/blueberries, but can delay coloration in apples. |
Step 4: Pick the Installation System
Your budget and orchard layout will dictate the structure.
- Drape Over (Individual Row):
- The net is thrown directly over the tree row.
- Pros: Cheapest upfront cost; no heavy poles required.
- Cons: High labor (must be removed/lifted for harvest); net touches fruit (risk of rub marks); difficult to spray.
- Flat Canopy (Plat-Form):
- Net is suspended flat on wires above the orchard.
- Pros: Excellent machine access underneath; hail accumulates on top (nets must be strong).
- Cons: Hail pockets can sag and break the net if not emptied (often requires an “elastic” system to dump hail).
- Pitched / Tent Canopy:
- Nets form a roof/tent shape (4$/\\$) above rows.5
- Pros: The Gold Standard. Hail rolls off into the alleyway between rows; structural integrity is highest.
- Cons: Most expensive to install; requires robust pole infrastructure.
Summary Checklist
Before ordering, ensure you can answer YES to these three questions:
- UV Stabilization: Is the net rated for at least 600–800 KLy (Kilo-Langley) of UV radiation? (Crucial for longevity).
- Shading Factor: Have I accounted for the shading percentage? (e.g., If your apples need 80% sun and the net blocks 20%, do you have enough margin?)
- Eyelets/Selvedge: Does the net have reinforced edges (selvedge) with buttonholes? (Essential for securing it to wires without tearing).
